A boat travels along the Hangzhou-Huzhou water route. [Photo/Tide News]

The water route from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, to Xinshi ancient town in Deqing county, Huzhou, has become a popular choice for weekend getaways in Zhejiang.

The Hangzhou-Huzhou water route, once a crucial waterway along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, resumed operations in April 2025 after a 30-year hiatus. Following successful trial runs, regular weekend services began in late July of the same year.

Since its relaunch, the route has completed 30 trips, carrying roughly 3,000 passengers and boosting tourism in Xinshi ancient town.

From January to November last year, the town's tourism revenue exceeded 500 million yuan ($71.7 million), a 23.6 percent increase year-on-year. The average visitor stay extended from 4.5 hours to 1.5 days, with overnight visitors making up 38.2 percent.

Departing from Wulinmen Wharf, the boat travels north along the Grand Canal, offering passengers scenic views and a tranquil experience. Afterwards, visitors can enjoy Xinshi ancient town's slow-paced life, local delicacies, and immersive cultural experiences.

Hangzhou Water and Land Transportation and Tourism Development Group offers both one-day and two-day tours, with the latter including discounted hotel stays in partnership with Holiday Inn in Xinshi ancient town. Hotel manager Lyv Jingfeng reported a 10 percent increase in occupancy since the route began operating regularly.

The route's relaunch has also benefited local businesses. Shen Xiaofeng, owner of Dahongmen Restaurant, offers dining discounts to passengers, capitalizing on the relaunch of the route to boost his business.